Thursday, March 15, 2018

What I Am Living For

I am excited that this week marks the publication of a collection of essays on Thomas Merton, one of them coming from yours truly.  The book is titled What I Am Living For: Lessons from the Life and Writings of Thomas Merton.  Edited by Jon M. Sweeney, there are contributions from Bishop Robert Barron, Fr. James Martin, Fr. Dan Horan, Sue Monk Kid, Robert Ellsberg, as well as a number of others.  Here is a short description:
What I Am Living For offers readers new to Merton, as well as longtime enthusiasts, an opportunity to see how the influential twentieth-century monk and writer continues to encourage the awakening of faith in the twenty-first century.

The book is in two parts. Each contributor to part one focuses on an aspect of the spiritual life that is of vital importance today and on which Merton made a profound impact. These include:

  • Martin—Finding who God intends you to be
  • Ellsberg—The spiritual need for solitude and stability
  • Oakes—The importance of coming to terms with our sexuality, whether married, single, or celibate
  • Horan—The importance of dialogue with God, culture, society, and people of other faiths
Part two features shorter, often more personal reflections on the future of faith, the life and teachings of Merton, and what he still says to anyone who seeks a relationship with God.

My contribution comes in the form of a short essay in part two of the book, where I write about how I came to appreciate Thomas Merton after many years of actively avoiding him.  So, if you are a Thomas Merton fan or simply curious about him, this book promises to have plenty of insights about this man who helped to nurture and rediscover the importance of contemplation for both monks and lay people, while also being active in the non-violence movement and inter-religious dialogue.  This book, conveniently, comes out in this 50th anniversary year of Thomas Merton's death.

11 comments:

Bob Short said...

Congrats! It will be great to see your thoughtfulness and care directed at things other than translation and bible editions.

Timothy said...

Thanks!

Timothy said...

Thanks! Yes it is nice to focus on other things!

Unknown said...

Congrats Tim can’t wait to read this!

Timothy said...

Thanks!

Anonymous said...

Congrats, Tim! That's great!

- Keith S.

Timothy said...

Thank you Keith!

Devin Rice said...

Congratulations!

Timothy said...

Thank you, brother!

owenswain said...

Your article is wonderful, Timothy. For me, as we have chatted so much and shared so much journey over recent years, little was new to me ;-). Well written. Well said. Hoping many readers will resonate with what you've shared so honestly and be encouraged to give Merton a chance to touch their life.

Timothy said...

Thank you, my friend.